A cuppa Cafe Tacuba.
It's the most insane time of the year - but why not stop and, er, smell the big sweaty rock bands coming through town. I kid because I love the way the next week looks: so busy and full of intriguing sounds.
CAFE TACUBA
Whoa, if there was a more shockingly inventive, stylistically agile, and altogether impressive LP this year, I can't think of it. Sino (Universal) may translate as "But Instead," but there was no stopping the range of pop styles coursing through this musically multilingual recording en esponol as the Mexican rock vets decided to start dreaming in epic U2-y radio rock textures, Beach Boys-style Cali-choir harmonies, and grand Nascimento-esque overtures.
With Bengala. Wed/28, 8 p.m., $36.50-$49.50. Warfield, 982 Market, SF. (415) 775-7722.
FAUN FABLES
The SF medieval proggists join Gong/Soft Machine vet Daevid Allen for a certain unquantifiable magik.
With Daevid Allen and Wymond and his Spirit Children. Wed/28, 9 p.m., $10. Café du Nord, 2170 Market, SF. (415) 861-5016.
YOUSSOU N'DOUR
The Senegalese master surges beyond the traditional music of his homeland with his hybrid, Rokku Mi Rokka (Nonesuch).
Fri/30, 8 p.m., $25-$75. Masonic Center, 1111 California, SF. (866) 920-JAZZ.
DAME SATAN
Hail, Dame. The underrated SF indies are toasting their split 7-inch with Two Sheds on Ghostmansion.
With Joseph Childress and Toromiro. Sun/2, 9:30pm, $6. Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk St., SF. (415) 923-0923.
DON CABALLERO
Wasn't the Cab supposed to be here last year when their World Class Listening Problem came out? Now you can find out for yourself: just how does Pittsburgh math rock add up?
With the Enablers and Assemblehead in Sunburst Sound. Sun/2, 9 p.m., $10-$12. Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., SF. (415) 621-4455.
LIFESAVAS
The Quannum trio make it superfly for headliners Ozomatli, making their way through a four-night Ozo on Ice stand at the Fillmore.
With Ozomatli. Sun/2, 8 p.m., $26.50. Fillmore, 1805 Geary, SF. (415) 421-TIXS.
AIMEE MANN
Is that the ghost of Karen Carpenter that Mann is conjuring. The singer-songwriter wraps her velvet pipes around those roasting chestnuts for her second annual holiday tour, supported by Chuck Prophet, Sean Hayes, and other pals.
Sun/2-Mon/3, 8 p.m., $35.50. Bimbo's 365 Club, 1025 Columbus, SF.
LULACRUZA
The Latino experimentalists arrive, so fresh and so lo-fi, from a residency at the Red Poppy House.
With Tiny Lights and Efft. Tues/4, 9:30 p.m., $6. Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk St., SF. (415) 923-0923.
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